May 08, 2014

Estonia has not moved closer to Nordic countries in twenty years

Estonian columnist and political analyst Ahto Lobjakas says that now that Estonia is celebrating 10th year of EU membership, it’s time to accept the fact that in twenty years Estonia is still far from the level of its Northern neighbours in Scandinavia, reported ETV in its weekly news roundup.

"In twenty years, we have not gotten closer to becoming a Nordic country. There are no such reference points, except perhaps some very formal ranking, where we had been a Nordic country or more Nordic than we were twenty years ago. It’s a question of solidarity – they don’t see us as one of them,” said Lobjakas.

According to the analyst, EU sees Estonia as a good student because the country has no debt and Estonia’s image as a sustainable country is good. Lobjakas added that Estonia’s voice has been strengthened in the actions of Russia because people who ten years ago spoke about the threat of Russia have now turned out to have been clairvoyants.

"The European Union is changing, seats are being redistributed and people who come from Eastern Europe, including Estonia, are now in a better position as candidates than they were five years ago,” he said.